You can block Safari using Screen Time, a built-in iPhone feature that lets you restrict apps

Safari is the default web browser on every iPhone, but you can prevent it from opening by turning on Screen Time and adding Safari to your blocked apps list. This works whether you want to stop someone else from using it, limit your own browsing, or keep a child from accessing the internet unsupervised. The block is enforced by a passcode that only you know, so the person trying to open Safari will see a message saying the app is restricted.

The process takes about two minutes and doesn't require you to delete Safari or change any other settings. If you change your mind later, you can unblock it the same way you blocked it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Screen Time, and turn it on if it's not already active, then set a Screen Time passcode that only you know.
  • Go to App Limits or Allowed Apps (depending on your iOS version) and uncheck Safari to block it completely.
  • A blocked Safari will show a message saying "This app is restricted" when someone tries to open it.
  • You can unblock Safari at any time by going back to Screen Time settings and checking the Safari box again.
  • Screen Time also lets you set time limits instead of blocking entirely, so Safari can open for a set number of minutes per day.

How to block Safari using Screen Time on iOS 16 and newer

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Screen Time. Tap it, then tap "Turn On Screen Time" if you haven't set it up yet. You'll be asked whether this is your iPhone or a child's device — choose the one that applies. If it's your own device, you'll set a Screen Time passcode (a four-digit code, not your regular lock screen PIN). Write this down somewhere safe, because you'll need it to change these settings later.

Once Screen Time is on, tap "App Limits" near the bottom of the screen. Tap the plus sign to add a new limit, then scroll down and find Safari. Tap it to select it, then tap "Add" at the bottom right. Set the time limit to 1 minute — this creates a block that's almost impossible to use. When the time runs out, Safari will be locked and show a message saying "This app is restricted." You can also choose "Always Allowed" instead, which lets you pick which apps stay accessible even when Screen Time is active, but Safari won't be one of them.

How to block Safari on iOS 15 and earlier

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time. If it's your first time, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether it's your device or a child's device. Set a four-digit passcode. Then tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and turn it on with the toggle switch.

Tap "Allowed Apps" and you'll see a list of every app on your iPhone with a toggle next to it. Find Safari and turn off the toggle next to it. The app will now be blocked. Anyone who tries to open Safari will see a message saying "This app is restricted" and won't be able to use it without the Screen Time passcode.

The difference between blocking and time limits

Blocking Safari completely removes it from use — it won't open at all. A time limit lets Safari open but cuts it off after a set number of minutes. If you want to let someone use Safari for 30 minutes a day but not longer, use App Limits and set it to 30 minutes instead of 1 minute. If you want it blocked entirely, the 1-minute limit is the practical way to do it, because the time runs out when ready and the app locks.

You can also use "Downtime," a separate Screen Time feature that blocks all apps during certain hours (like bedtime). If you set Downtime from 9 PM to 7 AM, Safari and most other apps won't open during those hours, but you can still make calls and use apps you've marked as "Always Allowed."

What happens when Safari is blocked

When someone tries to open Safari on an iPhone where it's blocked, they'll see a screen that says "This app is restricted" with a button to "Ask for Screen Time Passcode." If they tap that button, they can request permission from whoever set up Screen Time, but the app won't open without the passcode being entered. There's no way around this without knowing the passcode.

If the person tries to open a link in an email or text message, they'll get the same restriction message. Safari is completely locked out, not just hidden from the home screen.

How to unblock Safari if you change your mind

Go back to Settings and open Screen Time. Enter your Screen Time passcode. On iOS 16 and newer, tap "App Limits," find Safari in the list, and tap "Edit" or swipe left on it, then tap "Delete." On iOS 15 and earlier, tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions," then "Allowed Apps," and turn the toggle next to Safari back on. Safari will be available again when ready.

If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you'll need to reset it through your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap "Forgot Passcode?" and follow the steps to verify your identity with your Apple ID password.

Why you might block Safari instead of using parental controls

Screen Time is simpler than full parental controls if you only want to block one app. If you need more control — like blocking specific websites, allowing only certain contacts, or preventing app purchases — you'd use the full Content & Privacy Restrictions menu instead. But if Safari is the only thing you need to stop, the App Limits method is faster and doesn't require setting up a separate child account.

Some people block Safari to reduce their own screen time without relying on willpower. Others block it on a shared family iPad so children can't browse the web unsupervised. The block works the same way regardless of why you're using it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone unblock Safari without the Screen Time passcode?

No. They can request permission by tapping "Ask for Screen Time Passcode," but the app won't open until someone with the passcode approves it. The only way to remove the block is to enter the Screen Time passcode and change the settings.

Does blocking Safari stop people from using other web browsers?

No. Blocking Safari only blocks Safari. If Chrome, Firefox, or another browser is installed on the iPhone, those apps will still work. If you want to block web browsing entirely, you'd need to block every browser app individually or use Content & Privacy Restrictions to block the entire "Web" category.

Will blocking Safari affect iCloud syncing or email?

No. Blocking Safari doesn't affect any other features. Email, iCloud, and all other services work normally. Only the Safari app itself is restricted from opening.

What if I set a time limit but want to block Safari completely instead?

Go back to Screen Time, find the Safari limit you created, tap "Edit," and change the time to 1 minute. This makes it block when ready. Or delete the limit entirely and create a new one with 1 minute instead.

Can I block Safari on someone else's iPhone without their knowledge?

Only if you have access to their iPhone and know their passcode. You'd need to set up Screen Time on their device and create a passcode they don't know. However, they'll see the Screen Time settings in their Settings app and will notice Safari is restricted when they try to use it.